Today in Postal History

This simple cover was struck with a duplex handstamp
including a round numeral B53 and single circle datestamp.
Mauritius is in the Indian Ocean about 1,000 km east of Madagascar.
It shares its isolation in the Mascarene Islands with Reunion about 120 km west southwest.
Mauritius gained its independence in 1968.

The cover is franked with a 17 CENTS surcharge on a 4d. rose of 1863.
The surcharged stamp (SG 87) was issued in 1878 to reflect new currency.

The destination was London where it was backstamped on arrival August 6.